It is time to explain myself—Let us stand up.
[44.1]
What is known I strip away;
I launch all men and women forward with me into THE UNKNOWN.
[44.2]
The clock indicates the moment—but what does eternity indicate?
[44.3]
We have thus far exhausted trillions of winters and summers; 1135
There are trillions ahead, and trillions ahead of them.
[44.4]
Births have brought us richness and variety,
And other births will bring us richness and variety.
[44.5]
I do not call one greater and one smaller;
That which fills its period and place is equal to any. 1140
[44.6]
Were mankind murderous or jealous upon you, my brother, my sister?
I am sorry for you—they are not murderous or jealous upon me;
All has been gentle with me—I keep no account with lamentation ;
(What have I to do with lamentation ?)
[44.7]
I am an acme of things accomplish’d, and I an encloser of things to be. 1145
[44.8]
My feet strike an apex of the apices of the stairs;
On every step bunches of ages, and larger bunches between the steps;
All below duly travel’d, and still I mount and mount.
[44.9]
Rise after rise bow the phantoms behind me;
Afar down I see the huge first Nothing—I know I was even there; 1150
I waited unseen and always, and slept through the lethargic mist,
And took my time, and took no hurt from the fetidcarbon .
[44.10]
Immense have been the preparations for me,
Faithful and friendly the arms that have help’d me. 1155
[44.12]
Cycles ferried my cradle, rowing and rowing like cheerful boatmen;
For room to me stars kept aside in their own rings;
They sent influences to look after what was to hold me.
[44.13]
Before I was born out of my mother, generations guided me;
My embryo has never been torpid —nothing could overlay it. 1160
[44.14]
For it the nebulacohered to an orb ,
The long slow strata piled to rest it on,
Vast vegetables gave it sustenance,
Monstrous sauroids transported it in their mouths, and deposited it with care.
[44.15]
All forces have been steadily employ’d to complete and delight me; 1165
Now on this spot I stand with my robust Soul.
[44.16]
44.
It is time to explain myself—Let us stand up.
[44.1]
What is known I strip away;
I launch all men and women forward with me into THE UNKNOWN.
[44.2]
The clock indicates the moment—but what does eternity indicate?
[44.3]
We have thus far exhausted trillions of winters and summers; 1135
There are trillions ahead, and trillions ahead of them.
[44.4]
Births have brought us richness and variety,
And other births will bring us richness and variety.
[44.5]
I do not call one greater and one smaller;
That which fills its period and place is equal to any. 1140
[44.6]
Were mankind murderous or jealous upon you, my brother, my sister?
I am sorry for you—they are not murderous or jealous upon me;
All has been gentle with me—I keep no account with lamentation ;
(What have I to do with lamentation ?)
[44.7]
I am an acme of things accomplish’d, and I an encloser of things to be. 1145
[44.8]
My feet strike an apex of the apices of the stairs;
On every step bunches of ages, and larger bunches between the steps;
All below duly travel’d, and still I mount and mount.
[44.9]
Rise after rise bow the phantoms behind me;
Afar down I see the huge first Nothing—I know I was even there; 1150
I waited unseen and always, and slept through the lethargic mist,
And took my time, and took no hurt from the fetid carbon .
[44.10]
Long I was hugg’d close—long and long.
[44.11]
Immense have been the preparations for me,
Faithful and friendly the arms that have help’d me. 1155
[44.12]
Cycles ferried my cradle, rowing and rowing like cheerful boatmen;
For room to me stars kept aside in their own rings;
They sent influences to look after what was to hold me.
[44.13]
Before I was born out of my mother, generations guided me;
My embryo has never been torpid —nothing could overlay it. 1160
[44.14]
For it the nebula cohered to an orb ,
The long slow strata piled to rest it on,
Vast vegetables gave it sustenance,
Monstrous sauroids transported it in their mouths, and deposited it with care.
[44.15]
All forces have been steadily employ’d to complete and delight me; 1165
Now on this spot I stand with my robust Soul.
[44.16]
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